211 project match.enable-gtm-ipc Home Design Ideas, Pictures and Inspiration
This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income.
DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request.
MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic.
RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income.
ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them.
URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances.
OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values.
Eric Roth Photo
Inspiration for a contemporary open plan living room in Edmonton with grey walls and grey floors.
Stair way access? Top area with the reduced height wall - percy_12
This room plays off a white backdrop against textures, recycled timbers and soft grey accessories. Add the faux fireplace and the room is made for sweet dreams!
Photography by Sue Murray - imagineit.net.au
Wall - inc new wood rather than aged - anton_bull
Location: Bethesda, MD, USA
We demolished an existing house that was built in the mid-1900s and built this house in its place. Everything about this new house is top-notch - from the materials used to the craftsmanship. The existing house was about 1600 sf. This new house is over 5000 sf. We made great use of space throughout, including the livable attic with a guest bedroom and bath.
Finecraft Contractors, Inc.
GTM Architects
Photographed by: Ken Wyner
Nice concealed sliding French doors - puffchu81
The unique opportunity and challenge for the Joshua Tree project was to enable the architecture to prioritize views. Set in the valley between Mummy and Camelback mountains, two iconic landforms located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, this lot “has it all” regarding views. The challenge was answered with what we refer to as the desert pavilion.
This highly penetrated piece of architecture carefully maintains a one-room deep composition. This allows each space to leverage the majestic mountain views. The material palette is executed in a panelized massing composition. The home, spawned from mid-century modern DNA, opens seamlessly to exterior living spaces providing for the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living.
Project Details:
Architecture: Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ // C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB // www.drewettworks.com
Builder: Bedbrock Developers, Paradise Valley, AZ // http://www.bedbrock.com
Interior Designer: Est Est, Scottsdale, AZ // http://www.estestinc.com
Photographer: Michael Duerinckx, Phoenix, AZ // www.inckx.com
Williamson Photography
Design ideas for a nautical kitchen pantry in Other with dark hardwood flooring.
Shelf raised, Pigi’s feet could fit under - webuser_137110431
the deck
The deck is an outdoor room with a high awning roof built over. This dramatic roof gives one the feeling of being outside under the sky and yet still sheltered from the rain. The awning roof is freestanding to allow hot summer air to escape and to simplify construction. The architect designed the kitchen as a sculpture. It is also very practical and makes the most out of economical materials.
inside / outside blending. Ceiling blinds (appreciate it's a lot of glass, but like overall look - maybe alternate panels ?). - zpm_pom
Designed and built by Pacific Peninsula Group.
Custom made vanities in the Master Bathroom.
Photography by Dave Edwards.
Photo of a contemporary bathroom in San Francisco with shaker cabinets.
This is an example of a rustic home office and library in Columbus with blue walls.
Incorporate barn door with stained glass if you are bent on keeping it- it would be a good nod to vintage and to the house to keep an original piece - nadinekswartz
Soft grey and Charcoal palette. Drapery adorned with mixed use fabrics. Chairs were carefully selected with a combination of solid and geometric patterned fabrics. Full design of all Architectural details and finishes with turn-key furnishings and styling throughout.
Carslon Productions, LLC
Love this, the style and colour scheme. - thorntonhall
Utilizing residual space under stair for laundry and pet nook.
photo by Pk Langshaw
Design ideas for a bohemian utility room in Montreal with white walls and a side by side washer and dryer.
apart from the cat hole, something to think about - raymond_dobbin
Photo of a traditional living room in London with white walls, medium hardwood flooring and a standard fireplace.
Window seats either side of the fire place - webuser_701641465
Photographer :Yie Sandison
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary open plan living room in Sydney with white floors, blue walls, no fireplace and a wall mounted tv.
On trend for 2018 this beautiful blue contemporary lounge working the circle theme. - minnieandgrouse
Bluff House living room looking out to deck and native landscape.
Photography: Trevor Mein
Photo of a medium sized contemporary open plan living room in Melbourne with white walls and light hardwood flooring.
Kitchen onto apple trees - missy_hogan
Brigid Arnott - photographer
Photo of a gey contemporary exterior in Central Coast.
Reduce M2 size? Deck design? - normanmummery
Rhee Residence in Kensington, a suburb of San Diego, CA.
Design and installation by Falling Waters Landscape
Contemporary patio in San Diego with a fire feature, concrete slabs and no cover.
Mix of concrete and plant on the floor - julia_nicholas49
This wonderful home is photographed by Bob Greenspan
Design ideas for a rustic kitchen in Portland with metro tiled splashback.
Dark walls with beams - cvm10
Ben Hosking
Photo of a modern living room in Melbourne with medium hardwood flooring and a wood burning stove.
Decking - flows straight into one - fdebens